Okay, okay, I know I said I would update everyday.  I'm sorry.  We have been extra busy this week and this was one thing that I could cross off of my list.  So, here is what we did this week during school time:

Spelling ~ Normal spelling program
Science ~ Continued to examine forms of energy, focusing on electricity
Biography ~ Thomas Edison.  Took notes using 5 w's sheet and wrote a short report on his invention of the first practical light bulb.
Geography ~ 50 states review, SC, GA, FL, MI w/ mapping skills
Reading ~ Samantha Learns a Lesson
Grammar ~ Normal grammar program
Math ~ Normal math program
Phys Ed ~ Swimming and Basketball
Arts & crafts ~ Easter crafts
Social Studies ~ Continued with Victorian Era and e

Today was field trip day!  We went to The Casements in Ormond Beach.  What a beautiful home!!  I can only imagine how magnificent it would have been when Rockefeller actually lived there.  The home is set near both the Halifax River and the Atlantic Ocean.  Your nose is greeted with the wonderful aroma of roses immediately upon exiting your vehicle.  I could sit on the porch of this home for hours looking at the water and smelling the sweet smells from the flower garden.  What a blessing that the city of Ormond Beach purchased the property and restored it (as best they could) to it's original state.  It would have been tragic if the property had been torn down as was slated.

We learned so much today about life in the early 1900's.  We were even able to see a photograph of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford that was taken during one of their trips to Rockefeller's home.  We learned just how important giving back is.  Rockefeller believed that you should work hard, make as much money as you could and donate as much money as you could back into society. 

Anyone who lives or visits the area should spend an hour or two touring the home.  The tours are free with a donation box near the gift shop if you are so inclined.

Math ~ Normal math program (we are using Horizons Math)
Spelling ~ Spelling test!  Usually we do this on Friday, but since we have a field trip tomorrow, we took care of it today.
Grammar ~ Normal grammar program (we us Spectrum)
Edison ~ Read Chapter 4 together (Time Bio for Kids)
Samantha's World ~ Read sections 5 and 6 of chapter 1
Discussed pre 1900 housing and 1904 housing.  Documented the changes on a chart
Geography ~ Reviewed/quizzed 50 states; Read about VA and NC using Nifty 50 cards
Independent Reading ~ Ch. 6 of Meet Samantha (approx. 20-30 mins. of reading)

We received the results of my daughter's CAT-5 tests today.  She is such a smart little girl!!  Lowest percentile was 86th and several of them were 99th percentile!!  She'll be more intelligent than me and her dad in no time!  I am so proud of her and all of her hard work and accomplishments! 

Math ~ Normal math program (we are using Horizons Math)
Spelling ~ Normal spelling program (we use Spectrum)
Grammar ~ Normal grammar program (we us Spectrum)
Edison ~ Read Chapter 3 together (Time Bio for Kids)
Samantha's World ~ Read sections 3 and 4 of chapter 1
Discussed pre 1900 transportation and 1904 transportation.  Documented the changes on a chart  ~ continued/reviewed from yesterday
Geography ~ Reviewed/quizzed 50 states; Read about RI and WV using Nifty 50 cards
Writing ~ Friendly letter with proper greeting, date, body and salutation.  During the early 1900's and the Victorian Era, writing was seen as an art form, so she was encouraged to be pleasant and use her best handwriting.
Independent Reading ~ Ch. 4 of Meet Samantha (approx. 20-30 mins. of reading)

We also have basketball practice on Wednesday nights.  Field trip Friday is scheduled and we will be visiting one of the homes that Rockefeller used as his summer vacation home.

If your elementary student is having trouble learning the basics of ratio, try this hands on activity:

Fill several cups of water and give them food coloring in the primary colors.  Let them experiment making new colors by adding varying "parts" together of the food coloring to see what happens.

Alternatively, you can use paints instead of the food coloring.

Tuesday 4-12-11

Math ~ Normal math program (we are using Horizons Math)
Spelling ~ Normal spelling program (we use Spectrum)
Grammar ~ Normal grammar program (we us Spectrum)
Edison ~ Read Chapter 2 together (Time Bio for Kids)
Samantha's World ~ Read first two sections of chapter 1
Discussed pre 1900 transportation and 1904 transportation.  Documented the changes on a chart  
Reviewed the meaning of "naive" and how it applies to Samantha.  Also discussed times when we have been naive and whether it is a good or bad thing.
Geography ~ Reviewed/quizzed 50 states; Read about MD and NJ using Nifty 50 cards
Science ~ Energy forms ~ today we learned about heat energy
Independent Reading ~ Ch. 3 & 4 of Meet Samantha (approx. 30-40 mins. of reading)

Our social studies, history and language arts/reading program is very much integrated.  Learning history and social studies through stories is a wonderful way to learn!  Being required to learn battles and dates can be very boring, so students often tune out.  But learning through stories provides a fun, historically accurate alternative that kids enjoy!  I wish I had learned this way when I was

Today was our first day with unit study on American Girl Samantha. 

Math ~ Normal math program (we are using Horizons Math)
Spelling ~ Normal spelling program (we use Spectrum)
Grammar ~ Normal grammar program (we us Spectrum)
Edison ~ Read Chapter 1 together (Time Bio for Kids)
Samantha's World ~ Read the intro and previewed chapter 1
Discussed progress and how it can be both good and bad. 
Defined and discussed the meaning of "naive"
Geography ~ Reviewed/quizzed 50 states; Read about PA and NY using 50 Nifty cards
Independent Reading ~ Ch. 1 & 2 of Meet Samantha (approx. 30-40 mins. of reading)

We also discussed the field trips, art, music, Women's Rights, and people that we will study during the next 6 weeks.  The first day of any untit is typically an intro day, and that's what today was for us!

Take a homeschooling journey with us over the next 6 weeks as we complete our American Girl unit studies with Samantha.  Samantha grew up in 1914.  We will do various writing activities, musical studies, art study, field trips, Einstein, Wright Brothers, Susan B. Anthony, Women's Rights, etc. all covering the Victorian Era!

My journal entries will be daily (M-F) for the next 6 weeks as we read the Samantha book set of 6 books.  I look forward to letting you into our homeschool for a look at this unit of study.  Samantha

If you have kids who love to create art projects, try this fun and super easy craft.
Gather cotton balls, crayons or markers, scissors, paper and glue or a stapler.

1.  Cut out 2 identical bunny shapes from the paper.
2.  Decorate the bunny shapes ~ 1 will be the front and one will be the back.
3.  Staple or glue the decorated shapes together leaving the last 1/4 open.
4.  Stuff the bunny with cotton balls.
5.  Once stuffed to your liking, finish stapling or gluing the bunny shapes together.
6.  Glue one final cotton ball on the back of the bunny for the tail.

If you need educational books and you are a teacher or home educator, you can get 25% off plus a free calendar this weekend at Books A Million stores!  As a home educator, I only needed to present my paperwork from the school district showing that I began a home education program and I was given a discount card on the spot!

They have tons of educational products for use in supplementing education or as a whole curriculum.